How Many Cold Cranking Amps Do I Need for a Riding Lawn Mower?

If you’re in the market for a lawn mower but a little fuzzy on certain specs like Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) or which one has the highest CCA lawn mower battery, here is a piece with all the information you need before the next battery purchase.

Twelve-volt batteries power the majority of lawn mowers. Some of these have 36-40 volts and are designed specifically for lawnmowers. If you’re buying a low-end model for a small mower, you can make do with about 150 cold cranking amps. However, if you’re willing to spend a little more, you’ll get a mower that’s both more durable and powerful.

Lawn Mower & Garden Tractor Battery Size Chart

Type Brand Voltage (V) Capacity (Ah) Price ($) Weight (lbs) Dimensions (in) Warranty
Lead-Acid DieHard 12 35 80 24 7.7 x 5.2 x 6.4 1 year
Lithium-Ion Greenworks 40 6 150 7.7 6.3 x 3.3 x 5.8 2 years
Lithium-Ion EGO Power+ 56 5 200 10.7 7.7 x 3.5 x 6.7 3 years
AGM Mighty Max 12 18 70 11.6 7.1 x 3 x 6.6 1 year

How many amps does a lawn mower use?

Lawn mower battery amps vary. Batteries are rated based on their CCA or cold cranking amps. This measures how much current a battery can produce and deliver within 30 seconds when the temperature is zero degrees Fahrenheit without going below the required 7.2-volt output. If the CCA is on the higher side, the battery can produce more power at low temperatures.

If you get a battery with a low CCA, your engine might not start. If it happens to start, the battery will experience way more wear and tear and burn out sooner.

Meanwhile, if you get a battery with CCA that is too high, you will end up paying more with no extra benefits. So, finding that balance will keep your mower running as it is meant to.

Even when the voltage is the same across batteries, the CCA varies. That’s why you could be looking at batteries of the same voltage with CCA ranging from 100–160—the lower end—to 350 CCA, which is on the other end of the spectrum for a mower of the same size. However, if you have a lawn tractor, you might find that 315 CCA is an excellent rating.

It is always important to consider the lawn mower battery cold cranking amps because this is what will determine how long the battery will last.

What battery size do I need for my lawn mower, and how to decide on the right amount of CCA?

The lawn mower battery size will always be determined by the amount of cold cranking amps or CCA the battery has. If you don’t live in places where the mercury drops to that point, your battery determines the ability to start your engine in colder temperatures, such as in Europe and North America.

As a rule, make sure that the CCA is either equal to or more than the engine displacement measure in cubic inches. So, if you have a vehicle that is 135 cubic inches, a battery with a 130 CCA rating will be more than enough. Manufacturers have been trying to deliver batteries with higher CCA ratings which is why those with 550 CCA were considered powerful batteries at one point.

Today, you can find batteries with a CCA rating as high as 1,000, meaning “the bigger the CCA, the better your battery” concept. But, that is not always the case because different vehicles have different requirements.

Does CCA matter on a lawn mower battery?

It matters on every battery irrespective of the weather conditions where the mower is used. As mentioned in this piece, CCA is used to determine how well your lawn mower will work when the temperatures drop on a winter day.

But even if you don’t experience such extreme winters, the CCA rating of your battery will tell you how well the battery can function when the temperature is low.

How many amps does it take to start a riding lawn mower?

You might have thought how many cranking amps for riding mower. In relation to that, it takes between 10 and 12 amps to start a riding lawn mower, depending on the model. Most riding lawn mowers have a 12-volt battery, so you need at least that much power to start the engine. If your riding lawn mower has a higher voltage battery, it will take more amps to start the engine. For example, a 24-volt battery would require at least 24 amps to start the engine. The weather also affects the number of amps to start riding a lawn mower. Cold weather makes it harder for the engine to turn over, so you may need more power to get it started.

What size battery does a riding lawn mower take?

Most riding lawn mowers take a 12-volt battery. However, some require a 6-volt battery. Check your owner’s manual to find out the specific requirements for your model. When shopping for a new battery, it’s important to choose one that is rated for the same voltage as your mower. Otherwise, you may end up with a battery that is too powerful or too weak, and it may not work properly.

Conclusion

Mower battery amps fluctuate widely. The Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) is used to rate batteries. On a cold winter day, you can use the CCA to see how well your lawn mower performs. Batteries with higher CCAs can produce more power at lower temperatures, making them ideal for cold weather. It’s vital to choose a battery for your lawn mower that is rated for the same voltage level as your old one.

Related topics: Lawn Mower, Riding Lawn Mowers, Cold Cranking Amps.

About the author, Phil Borges

Phil Borges is a battery aficionado. He's written extensively about batteries, and he loves nothing more than discussing the latest innovations in the industry. He has a deep understanding of how batteries work, and he's always on the lookout for new ways to improve their performance.